Michael Morrill
Say hello to the newly crowned Mr. Gay Hong Kong! Michael Morrill, 35, wants to raise HIV awareness in the city. He talks to Yannie Chan about being HIV positive and his plans for the year.
HK Magazine: Congrats on the win! What’s your mission for the year?
Michael Morrill: I wanted Mr Gay HK really bad, so that I can help to stop the stigma attached to HIV-positive people. There are a lot of people out there saying it’s OK to be gay. But I’m taking one step further to say it’s OK to be HIV positive, and educate people on how to avoid it.
HK: What kind of discrimination do HIV-positive people have to deal with?
MM: I moved to South Korea in 2001 from the States. I was on TV and had my own radio show, and taught CEOs in big companies. But despite all that, after I tested positive for HIV in 2005, I was a subject of several witch hunts by the Immigration Department and the police. They have a law that requires teachers to pass an HIV test in order to get a working visa.
HK: That sucks.
MM: I’m young and relatively attractive, and I want to be out there dating people! It’s my responsibility to tell people before I have sex with them that I’m HIV positive. A German guy said, “I’m in a supermarket and I have all these options for fresh tomatoes, why would I choose a rotten tomato?” I definitely took that to heart. My ex-boyfriend was negative. We had safe sex the whole time and there were no complications. If you’re open and educated enough, then there are plenty of options for people with HIV.
HK: What was it like when you first learned you were positive?
MM: I was at the gym when I found out. After that, I worked out for six hours straight. I was busting my ass off just to get my mind off it. I told my friends but I never told my family for the first five years. I didn’t want them to worry.
HK: Does being HIV positive complicate relationships?
MM: They’re as complicated as you make them. If you really want to think about it in the negative aspect, such as the possibility of contracting the disease, then it’ll definitely make things worse. Of course, I quite frequently start to get overtaken by the negative side of things. But I remind myself of the perfect relationship I want to have.
HK: I understand you’re a teacher. Are your bosses and the parents supportive?
MM: I’ve told every boss I’ve had in Hong Kong that I’m gay and HIV positive. Every time they say, “It’s fine—just don’t tell any parents or students.” But many students’ parents are my age. In fact, some of them knew that I was in Mr. Gay Hong Kong, and they came out to support me; they found out about my HIV status there. They’ve been very supportive ever since.